Chapter 5: Is it wrong to be scared?
"Ahnn~," Ishtar purred, her voice laced with satisfaction as her body stretched across mine. Her long purple hair cascaded over the silk sheets, and her fingers traced languid patterns across my chest. She was relaxed, her usual commanding presence softened into something almost tender—almost.
"Hm, thank you," I replied with a playful demeanor. I couldn't help but stay close to her, the weight of her arm over me strangely grounding.
"Mmm, for what?" she murmured, her voice syrupy, but still carrying an undeniable edge.
"This…maybe I liked this," I said, my gaze meeting hers with a flicker of vulnerability that I couldn't quite mask. It was subtle, but she noticed. She always did.
"You should count yourself lucky, sweetie" she whispered with a grin, her hands moving over me like she owned every inch of my being. "Last night, I gave you something most can only dream of."
I chuckled softly, tilting my head to meet her gaze. "I'd say it was a mutually beneficial arrangement. Or are you forgetting how many times you moaned out my name, kami-sama?"
Her eyes narrowed playfully, the corners of her lips twitching. "Don't let that sharp tongue of yours get you into trouble. Or do. It's endearing." She ran her thumb gently along my neck, briefly squeezing it before proceeding to be gentle. An oddly tender gesture that made my heart race.
I stretched beneath her, feigning indifference, though the pleasure still lingered. "I wouldn't want to disappoint my Goddess, would I? Speaking of which, you must have an ungodly amount of experiences..so hope I lived up to your impossibly high standards in bed" I said, feeling a twinge of insecurity as I kept stretching even briefly letting out my voice softly.
She had so much control, if not all of it, despite my bodily gifts. It made me feel small in a way I wasn't used to, but her care was undeniable.
She leaned in almost ready to take me right then and there, her hair brushing against my cheek as she whispered, "You were…beyond satisfactory, boy. You should stay with me today. There's more to be had."
I chuckled, feigning nonchalance despite the way her words sent a shiver down my spine. "Next time, um, I'll try to be more engaging."
Her smile widened, her eyes twinkling with satisfaction. "Next time," she repeated, savoring the promise as she pulled me closer, her hands guiding my head toward her chest.
I couldn't help but feel oddly at peace. Her charm had affected me deeply, and I knew that next time could be different. I should stand stronger.
"Boy," she said with an affectionate smirk, "you're full of potential, but still adorable, aren't you? You're mine now. My child. And I don't tolerate disappointment."
I flushed at the declaration, a mix of hated and embarrassment flooding through me except I was still a groggy to cause a strife. "Weak or not, you'll see soon enough. I'll surpass your expectations. After all, I've learned something from you."
Her brow arched, intrigued. "And what's that?"
"Charm," I replied, my voice steady. There was a subtle shift in the air, a moment of recognition from her. It was like I had tapped into her essence, but I knew better than to get comfortable.
Her lips curled into a sly smile. "Good boy. But don't forget, charm is just a tool. It's what you do with it that matters."
I nodded, a new resolve forming within me. "Don't worry. I'll make the most of it."
She leaned back, her fingers brushing her lips thoughtfully, a mixture of pride and concern flickering in her eyes. "You've intrigued me enough to earn my continued attention. But don't disappoint me, Fae. If you do, I'll crush you without hesitation. Even in the afterlife."
I rolled my eyes, pretending to be unfazed. "I'm hungry. Let me get up."
She smirked, her grip tightening around me. "Why the rush, darling? Did I disturb you, little Fae?"
"Like I said, I—"
"I know," she interrupted, her fingers dancing over my back, "but Tammuz should be arriving soon."
I raised an eyebrow. "Tammuz?"
"My other aide, dear," she replied with a casual touch to my chest.
On cue, there was a soft knock at the door. Ishtar's voice, dripping with authority, rang out. "Enter."
The door creaked open, revealing Tammuz with his usual stoic demeanor, carrying a silver tray filled with food. His calculating eyes flicked briefly toward me before returning to Ishtar.
"Your morning meal, my Goddess," he announced, setting the tray on the table near the window. "And provisions for your guest, as instructed."
"Perfect," Ishtar purred, sitting up with regal elegance. She gestured toward the tray. "Tammuz has outdone himself today. You should feel honored, Fae."
I hesitated, still feeling the warmth of her embrace lingering on my skin. Tammuz stepped forward, his voice even and detached. "For Fae, I've included sides to aid in his recovery, after last night's…exertions."
"Exertions, indeed," Ishtar murmured, shooting me a sly glance. Her words made my ears burn, made me uncomfortable as well, but I couldn't deny the truth behind them
Tammuz continued, unmoved by the innuendo. "The tray includes a Glowing Nectar Loaf, infused with restorative properties to enhance physical recovery." He set the bed tables and departed, leaving the two of us alone.
"Thank you," I muttered, my voice softer than usual, still shaken by her presence, but loud enough for Tammuz to hear.
Her violet eyes glimmered with a strange mix of affection and triumph as she leaned closer, a delicate smile playing on her lips. "Darling," she cooed, her tone unusually tender, "let me feed you."
I stiffened immediately, the offer catching me off guard. "I'll pass," I replied, glancing away. There was something unnerving about that suggestion, though I couldn't quite place it.
She pouted, a playful but persistent gleam in her eye. "Oh, my sweet Fae," she murmured, brushing a strand of hair from my face with gentle fingers. "You've worked so hard—surely you can let me take care of you, just this once?"
I shake my head.
Her insistence was disarming. I felt the weight of her gaze, warm and unyielding, pressing against my defenses. I focused on my plate, determined to ignore her, but she didn't relent.
"Please, and don't forget you stressed me so much yesterday. You owe me this" she whispered, her voice soft as silk, the use of her words wrapping me around her fingers. I did in fact go to hellishly monstrous lengths just to get here and besides it's not like shes going to let up.
I sighed, reluctant but unable to withstand the quiet intensity of her request. She had a way of wearing me down, her patience outlasting my pride. "Okay," I muttered, averting my eyes as I pushed the plate toward her.
Her violet eyes glimmered as she reached for a piece of fruit, offering it to me with a knowing smile. "Good boy," she said softly, her words both comforting and possessive.
Her smile widened, a glimmer of satisfaction flashing behind her gentle expression. She reached for a small piece of fruit, her fingers brushing against mine, and brought it to my lips. "Good boy," she said softly, her voice laced with an almost maternal pride. "Open up for me."
I hesitated, the moment teetering between awkward, disgusted and oddly intimate, but I complied, my pride begrudgingly yielding to her milf-like authority.
"There now," she hummed as she fed me, her touch lingering just long enough to send a shiver through me. "See? Isn't it nice to let someone care for you?"
Her gentle care stirred something uncomfortably foreign in me—a deep connection I hadn't expected. But as she fed me, I couldn't help but feel a sense of strange comfort in her touch.
"You're so stubborn," she chided lightly, her tone carrying a teasing warmth. "But I know what's best for you, my little Fae."
I frowned immensely at the pet name, my pride prickling, but the way she said it—gentle and possessive—made it difficult to protest.
"Don't overthink it," she added, as if sensing my internal conflict. "It's only natural for me to want to take care of what's mine."
Her words lingered, an almost predatory tenderness laced with something deeper, something I wasn't yet ready to confront. For now, I let it slide, focusing instead on the surprising comfort of her attention. She fed me in a way that did not cause discomfort. Ultimately, the meal was pretty good...the stuff Tammuz provided included.
After breakfast, Ishtar rose gracefully from the bed, her movements fluid and deliberate as if she were finally granting me permission to start my day. Draped in a luxurious silk robe, her violet hair cascading down her back, she appeared every bit the Goddess I always imagined her to be.
"You know," she began, her tone unexpectedly soft, "Freya's influence overshadows everything I have and am. I've never been blind to it, but maybe blinded by it."
It was a rare admission, one I never thought I'd hear from her. Ishtar, began sounding almost defeated.
Her vulnerability lasted only a moment before her demeanor shifted, her lips curving into a sly, knowing smile. She stepped closer, her confidence returning just like that.
-Is there more to this?
She took a deep breath, her frustration barely contained. "But that's why I'm placing my hopes in you, Fae. Don't let me down."
I met her gaze, determined. "I won't."
With a faint smile, she extended her hand toward me. "Swear to me, Fae. Swear you'll see this through, no matter the cost."
I hesitated for a moment before finally taking her hand. "I swear."
Without needing to dwell further on the topic she merely ended it with a humbling, "Cute", and once again I failed to oppose it.
The scorpion-shaped cursed tool remained attached to the back of my neck, its sinister design almost mocking. Even last night, she inquired about it, so now I should show her.
Its power had drained me earlier, but now it served its purpose, the mana it had siphoned used to weave a set of practical yet befitting beautiful clothing onto my body. The craftsmanship was impeccable, blending utility with an pretty sweet look that was simply impressive.
"Not bad, right?" I quipped, turning slightly to give her a better view.
She didn't respond immediately. Instead, she approached me with a calm grace. Before I could protest, her arms enveloped me, pulling me into a warm yet possessive embrace. She stood behind me, her chin resting lightly on my head, her soft, addictive scent wrapping around me.
"Ishtar—" I began, my tone betraying a flicker of protest as my cold eyes returned ready to finally put a stop to our dynamic.
As if sensing my uproar, "shh," she murmured, her voice low and commanding. Her arms tightened around me as she gently nudged me forward, forcing me to look out at the district and the horizon from the balcony. "Look, Fae. This is the place you'll grow for. For me. For us."
I tried to wriggle free, but her hold was firm yet oddly tender. She chuckled softly, her breath warm against my ear. "You're so stubborn, my little brat," she teased, a hint of affection in her tone. "It's hard to imagine you as anything other than an untaught unruly little brat. But right now, you're just…cute. Protest all you want but you laid your heart out to me. Be evil all you want, but you need to rely on me"
I fell weak to her manipulation in the knees and reluctantly obeyed Ishtar. I could already imagine her grin with my back turned to her.
She sighed, "If you leave now, the Guild won't be too crowded," she said, her voice softening. Then she choose to offer, almost offhandedly, "Should I send someone with you?"
I shook my head firmly. "I can handle this on my own." I wanted to get out of here immediately.
Her expression hardened slightly, but she didn't argue. Instead, she issued one final command. "Remember our agreement, Fae. Prioritize it above all else. And don't forget—come back to me."
-Is it concern? Doubt? Or just another layer of her endless manipulation?
"Yes, ma'am...", I seemed lost as I walked out of her room as after all she had totally taken control over me to such an extent with such easy in one night. It felt like everything almost back-fired.
I began walking out of her quarters somehow a slightly changed person despite the chaos and more that I had caused. I looked back at her with vulnerability and she smiled at me as I walked out. As I push open her doors, I began walking down the stairs as for the first time I laid my eyes on Aisha.
Her bare feet padded softly on the marble floor as she made her way to Ishtar's chambers, pushing the door open without ceremony. The air inside was heavy with the goddess's presence, and even Aisha—bold as she was—felt a prickle of tension run down her spine. Ishtar barely acknowledged her entrance, lounging with a calculated indifference with her mind pre-occupied on the potential I had.
"Lady Ishtar," Aisha began, her voice heavy, with a lot of unease lingered in her chest. "Samira is missing."
Ishtar's lips curled slightly, the kind of smile that set Aisha's instincts on edge. "And why does that concern you, Aisha?" she replied, her tone smooth but dismissive.
Aisha hesitated for a fraction of a second, choosing her words carefully. "She's an important asset to the Familia and with the attack last night...If something's happened to her—"
"Don't preoccupy yourself with her," Ishtar interrupted, her eyes narrowing. "Samira's fate is of no concern to you right now."
The cold dismissal stung, but Aisha knew better than to argue outright. Her loyalty to her comrades burned within her, but the dynamic that bound her to Ishtar weighed heavily against her resolve. Even so, she couldn't ignore the subtle shift in Ishtar's mood—a rare, almost imperceptible satisfaction. Something had happened, something Ishtar wasn't sharing.
Aisha calmed her posture as if to avoid inciting something unwarranted by Ishtar and then she pressed on gently. "If I may, Lady Ishtar—"
"You may not," Ishtar snapped, though her tone remained unnervingly calm. "You have a more pressing task, Aisha. Watch over our guest for the day. That boy. That is my command."
Internally, Aisha bristled. She loathed being reduced to an errand girl, but defying Ishtar was out of the question. The goddess's wrath was a line she wouldn't cross, not when her consequences usually gigantically far out-weighed the value of the mistake. She bowed her head, hiding the spark of defiance in her eyes.
"As you wish," Aisha said smoothly, though her pride smoldered beneath the surface. She straightened and turned to leave, her mind a storm of thoughts. Samira…Lady Ishtar's behavior is too calm. Whatever's going on, it's something big. But now wasn't the time to press further. She'd learned long ago when to fight and when to wait.
Aisha thought along the lines of: this situation's a mess. But if I'm stuck watching you, I might as well figure out what's so special about you.
A small interest tugged at heart lips as she walked away, already planning how she'd get the answers she wanted without stepping too far out of line.
The moment I stepped out of the Pleasure District, I felt the weight on my chest ease, like I'd been holding my breath for far too long.
Inside that district, surrounded by Ishtar's charm, I'd felt something I hated—vulnerability. It wasn't the kind of vulnerability that made you weak in body; it was worse. It was the kind that muddied your thoughts, wrapped you in something warm and suffocating, and made you forget who you were. I'd caught myself staring too long, listening too closely, feeling too much. It disgusted me.
-Maybe I was wrong to take control for granted...if this is how it feels then maybe my intentions need to be improved. I fell to her charm so effortlessly...am I really...after what I came here for?
I was breathing heavily as my heart raced with fear of what I had just occurred back in Ishtar's quarters. I pulled my cloak tighter and kept my head down as I pushed through the crowded streets. I hated that I'd let myself linger for even a second, hated that I'd been caught off guard.
But that was over now. Outside the district, I could breathe, and my mind was clear. There was only one thing left to do: register as an adventurer. That was why I came here in the first place, wasn't it?
I clenched my fists as I walked, the sting of my nails in my palms grounding me. Ishtar and her charm would not be the end of me. The Guild awaited, and with it, a chance to prove who I was—without anyone's manipulations or tricks.
(A/N: Well, indisputably, the consequences of domination loss already made him suffer a severe identity crisis due to the fragility Fae's nature being mentally unstable and needy for validation. He has to find an identity for himself, but Ishtar has already enthralled him. Hence, he will be shaped by her and their common interests. I will be reading Sword Oratoria and learning about Ishtar's connections to Evilus. I know of the gist but forgot details like chronology so hard to plan a plot. I am aware that I need to improve my writing style so please criticise me. I focused more on showing the story instead of telling in the last two chapters mostly so more first person perspective. i am not sure what else i can do to improve besides writing and planning a plot better after learning a bit more on the canon events in regards to Ishtar Familia and Evilus)
==================================================================
Character Profile
Name: Fera ll Kaelith
Alias: N/A
Nickname: Little Fae
==================================================================
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Age: 17
Height: 5'6
Eye Color: Darker shade of Indigo but it does Hue other colors when Fate is activated
Hair Color: Indigo with Streaks of black on the back.
==================================================================
Affiliation: Pleasure District
Familia: Ishtar Familia
Level: 1
Occupation: Aide of Ishtar
Status;
• Strength: B782
•Endurance: B724
•Dexterity: B729
•Agility: A825
•Magic: S:935
Fate: I
Predation: Based on level
==================================================================
Prowess
Charm: As a replica of Goddesses of Beauty, he wields an unparalleled ability to captivate and control others through a near-divine allure. His charm overwhelms the senses, inducing a trance-like state of ecstasy that is irresistible, by stimulating the pleasure centers of another. It includes more specific mental states such as happiness, entertainment, enjoyment, ecstasy, and euphoria. However, it is far from a perfect copy to the point where it merely is better to describe him as picturesque and garners the admiration of all onlookers whilst passively improving his beauty.
Versatile Fighter: Has perfected the art of blending magic and melee combat into a threatening force. Drawing from the legendary fighting techniques of the Beltane warriors, he channels their ancient prowess through his own body, seamlessly integrating magic into every strike and maneuver. His combat style is fluid and adaptable, with his honed magical abilities enhancing his precision and power in battle. Whether unleashing devastating magic blasts or executing expert hand-to-hand combat, Fera's unique fusion of magic and martial skill makes him a truly formidable opponent, capable of taking on any challenge with unmatched versatility and lethal grace.
Hieroglyphs: The ability to comprehend and interpret the sacred language of the Gods, a script imbued with divine symbols and meaning. This gift allows the user to unravel hidden truths, decipher ancient mysteries, and understand texts that are incomprehensible to mortals. The knowledge gleaned from these hieroglyphs often carries great wisdom—or dangerous secrets.
Enhanced Senses: The user's senses are greatly heightened, with superior eyesight being the most notable. Their hearing, smell, touch, and taste are also improved, allowing for increased awareness and faster reactions in combat. After acquiring his falna all of his senses became much sharper than those of a normal person, with his eyesight still being particularly superior to the rest. His senses further improved with each subsequent rank up.
Temporal Perception: This ability accelerates the user's perception of time, allowing them to react and process movements faster than normal. Enhanced kinetic vision enables them to track fast movements effortlessly.
Chant Connection: A technique that only Riveria is able to use, originally. Chant connection enables him to change the strength of her magic based on the chant length and mind usage. His magic is separated into three groups of magic based on the type and chant length, with each magic in a group referred to as a level. Basically, making the original spell into three separate parts of varying degrees of power and it appears as three separate spells.
Concurrent Chanting (並行詠唱): A high-level technique involving casting magic while fighting or moving around. Its difficulty is likened to dealing with a bomb with both hands while fighting due to the chance of failing a chant or not being able to control their own magic power. Skill at using concurrent chanting depends on how much experience the user has with it. Enhanced Metabolism: Has the toughest stomach in the entire series. He can eat monsters, inorganic matter, and dead people without any ill effect and would be able to eat even Syr's lunches. Additionally, he possesses a high resistance to alcohol that allowing him to drink even more than Gareth, if it ever came to such a scenario.
Superhuman Human Physiology: Even without Falna, he was born gifted to the point where his body could grow incredibly dense muscle, maintain it's integrity, he regenerates quickly, and is generally above peak human even without needing to train. He does possess incredibly high affinity for magic which is typically only seen in Elves and has a lifespan comparable to that of Elves. Additionally, has a nigh-endless libido combined with superior with superior reproductive organs.
==================================================================Magic
Gate of Heaven (天の扉): The Gate of Heaven is a ceremony that consists of placing six Great Spirits around a gigantic magic circle so that through the Spirits they invoke the power of Heaven, creating a pillar of massive destruction whose power approaches that of Arcanum. The magic circle itself is daunting, being slightly larger than Central Park, with its scope being large enough to blow away all of Orario and the surrounding area. Due to its high destructive potential, the chant is extremely long, requiring a few days to be completed. Although killing one of the Spirits delays the ritual, it is not enough to end it, since another Spirit can continue the chant where the other left off, so it is necessary to kill all six Spirits to prevent it from taking place. Despite their nature, the Demi Spirits are able to perform the spell due to the original body consuming a Great Spirit.
Anima Vestra: Is a lengthy magic that allows the caster to control individuals by branding them and manipulating their fate to align with their deepest desires—though always at a tragic cost. The brand subtly guides the target's actions, fulfilling their wishes in ways that ultimately lead to misfortune. While the caster initially bears the toll of this power, they can shift the burden onto the target by convincing them to willingly submit to the pact. This submission not only binds the target's fate but also forces them to pay a sacrifice shaped by their imagination and desires. The magic manifests as spectral chains symbolizing the target's submission, and the caster uses a complex ritual to define the terms of the pact, ensuring the target's devotion while twisting their wishes to serve the caster's goals.
Arcane Faerie: A complex magic allows the user to assume a high-level spirit form, akin to exalted beings from ancient times, granting them an extraordinary increase in magical power, as well as the ability to perform chant-less magic, accelerated regeneration, enhanced physical prowess, and a deeper affinity for both magic and curses. The user gains the ability to perform multiple chants at once, chant connection, and comprehend ancient hieroglyphs, all while experiencing a heightened mental state. However, the transformation comes at a great cost of the magic consuming an enormous amount of mana, and since the user is not a true spirit, the transformation is temporary, meaning they can only maintain it for limited periods before exhausting their energy or losing control.
==================================================================Skill
All-Flesh: An extraordinarily rare skill that activates only when the user feels love for their target, forming soul-link that bridges emotions and physical sensations. While the user remains the dominant force in the bond, able to alter feelings, copy select traits, magic, skills, development abilities, others or even the target's appearance, the essence of the soul itself limits the transfer. The soul resists excessive extraction to maintain integrity, allowing only a partial transfer of abilities to avoid harm. This bond requires time, emotions, and genuine love or their twisted desires could lead to distorted copying or worse. Base stats like strength, agility, and excelia cannot be copied, as they are tied to individual growth. The more targets the user forms a bond with, the weaker the harmony, efficiency, and potential of the skill becomes, causing the transfer to diminish and the connection to weaken. As a bonus effect, it increases in proficiency with every attempt to grow closer to the target.
Skills Acquired;
-Lerneian Animalia: Boosts strength, agility, and dexterity in hand-to-hand combat, escalating further during one-on-one battles. Enhances creativity and proficiency in their striking abilities, unlocking the Predation development ability for increases in damage and capabilities against their target. Bonus effect, it slightly raises power state passively as prolonged violence ensues and the effects of the development ability are dependent on the user's contemporary level.
Magic Acquired;
- Beltane Träumerei: Is Talvi's poison barrier that burns the skin and eats it from the outside in, but its range is very short.
- Usko Nori: Is Uskari's magic to materialize a weapon by turning the wind into a sword. It can also create an explosion by chanting Tuvalo
Veil of the Traveler: A skill that prevents any information about the user from being revealed through skills, abilities, or supernatural means without the user's explicit consent. This includes concealing details during status upgrades from the Power of the Gods. Additionally, it conceals the user from detection tools, magic, and abilities such as clairvoyance or distant observation devices like Freya's orb. While it does not make the user invisible in direct encounters, it ensures they remain undetectable from afar unless they choose otherwise. Bonus effect, it increases the effects of the user's concealment and stealth related abilities.
==================================================================Development Abilities Explained;
Fate: It allows the user to examine their own and others' fates, perceiving key elements of their destinies, such as their potential for love, wealth, success, or demise. At lower levels, the user may only sense vague impressions, such as a general direction of their future. However, as the ability levels up, it becomes more detailed, providing specific insights into outcomes, such as the likelihood of death, character development, and even a person's lifespan. With mastery, the ability grants the user an instinctive or active sense of fate, allowing them to discern whether someone is destined for good or evil, wealth or poverty, or other significant life events. This ability does not control fate but offers the user a way to understand and predict it, acting as both a tool for guidance and a heavy burden, as the user becomes aware of the inevitable paths ahead. Additionally, the user's eyes produce faint, shifting hues that change according to their willpower, with the color becoming more pronounced as their desire strengthens.
Predation: Increases damage and attack power against monsters gained excelia from before. Allows it's user to sense monsters they've gained excelia before, even hidden ones. It's the improved version of Hunter and Hunter is explained as: Improves abilities against monsters that the user has fought before and gained excelia from. It can only be obtained at Level 2 and requires the user to have killed many monsters in a short period of time, making it difficult to obtain.
==================================================================
Equipment
Unearthed of Malina: It is his unique yet double-edged opportunity to increases his overall magical potential. This cursed, living artifact feeds on the user's mana as part of its natural symbiotic behavior, the ability to take after the user's traits, and offering greater magic stat growth in exchange for potential risks, including a condition known as mind down—a dangerous overextension of mental and magical reserves albeit despite this it does prioritise his survival.
Bracelet of Talvi: A delicate silver band adorned with an intricate design resembling frost-laced vines, the Bracelet of Talvi serves as both a lifeline and a boon to its wearer. It contains an embedded heart monitor that sends a faint, soothing hum back to a designated recipient or device, offering reassurance that the wearer is alive and well. Beyond its life-linking properties, the bracelet passively enhances cognitive function, improving clarity, focus, and the efficient use of mental abilities. This effect is subtle but invaluable, allowing its wearer to navigate complex situations or challenges with heightened mental acuity. The Bracelet of Talvi is both a personal safeguard and a token of connection, blending practicality and sentiment.
==================================================================